The economy may be down but that does not stop the need for healthcare. To that end, the Fayetteville City Council Nov. 6 approved a request by Piedmont Fayette Hospital to annex and rezone 17.85 acres situated behind the hospital. Also at the meeting, council members approved a temporary exemption on impact fees and sewer proportionate fees.

Currently undeveloped, the property totals 17.85 acres and is situated behind the hospital and extends to Sandy Creek Road on the east. Plans for the property acreage include future use as a day care center on the west side of the annexed area and future expansion of the number of parking spaces directly behind the hospital, Piedmont Fayette’s Tracy Cofer said at a previous meeting. Stormwater detention would be located on the east side of the annexed property near Sandy Creek Road, Cofer said.

Cofer first made the proposal to Planning and Zoning commissioners in September.

Council members Nov. 6 also heard the second reading and approved a temporary exemption to the impact fee and sewer proportionate share fee as a way of stimulating redevelopment and re-use of existing retail space that would result in higher usage requirements. The council approved a 50 percent exemption for a one-year period.